Fun in the sun at Emerald Park for May Member Forum
What a great day we had at Emerald Park, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo, for our May Member Forum. The sun shone brightly all day long. Thanks to everyone who attended, especially AVEA Board member and our host for the day, Charles Coyle, MD of Emerald Park and his wonderful team.
Emerald Park at Kilbrew near Ashbourne, Co Meath, is an amazing experience – over 45 eye-popping rides, a diverse zoo with over 250 animals and fantastic show-stopping events. But before we could explore all that, we got down to business, focusing on research, learning and development.
Charles Coyle shared his dream for the Tír na nÓg expansion – €22M investment, seven years in the planning – and charted a course through the ups and downs of their journey to the launch in 2024. We got to see for ourselves, later, just how popular and highly rated it has already become with visitors of all ages. We felt privileged to get the inside track and hear hints of further iconic developments on the horizon.
Catherine, AVEA CEO, gave us a first look at the headline findings from the AVEA Member Business Survey just hot off the presses, with final report to follow in the coming weeks.
Lisa Jameson, GM of Teeling Whiskey Distillery, shared fascinating research on Affective Organisational Commitment among employees, including in some AVEA member sites. With staff engagement and retention ongoing concerns for all members, her findings and recommendations resonated strongly with everyone in the room.
Patrick Herbage, Training Manager at Dublinia, and member of AVEA’s career and education working group, updated members on the supports available to them through Dublinia – including mystery shoppers, CPD courses and bespoke training – and highlighted the excellent tour guide training on offer there. He announced a special AVEA/Dublinia event on 24 July, 4-6 pm, for AVEA members to meet and recruit around 20 newly qualified tour guides.
Catherine wrapped up with an update on AVEA’s work, perspectives on the season and unveiled the location for #AVEAconf25 – Waterford on 13/14 October.
Business done and having caught up with peers over a heartly lunch, intrepid AVEA thrill-seekers braved the land of Tír na nÓg and enjoyed every minute of it – a memorable Member Forum and a great day. If you haven’t visited yet, go on spoil yourself!
